Infernal Invasion: Swordhaven The New World

The New World: The Infernals' Own Weapons

Swordhaven prepares for the attack that has already struck Doomwood, Darkovia and Shadowfall. Lord Brentan orders a curfew, readies the army and begins fortifying the city. At his request, Warlic locates the Hero's life energy and summons them from Shadowfall. Brentan needs help defending Swordhaven, but does not welcome Tara's insistence on taking part. She declares herself King Alteon's daughter and refuses to hide, only to be escorted out of the room by Pactagonal Knights.

The Hero suggests turning to Gravelyn, whose defenses have already resisted the Infernals' Celestial weapons. Brentan wants Swordhaven to stand on its own, despite the continuing alliance with the Shadowscythe. His answer is to learn from the Infernals themselves. The Hero retrieves armor from the knights in Darkovia and energy from Shadowfall's nethermages. Four scryers' orbs offer another advantage: two can scout in the field while two receive their images at the castle.

Swordhaven's mages also want energy gathered in the previously invaded regions. They give the Hero a ring to absorb it from defeated enemies, intending to recalibrate that power for their defense. The ring belongs to Tara, who has not consented to its use. When she asks Warlic to bring Victoria to Swordhaven, the sisters confront Brentan together. Tara accuses him of taking a ring meant to control dragons and trying to make it control demons instead, while excluding her from using it herself.

Victoria rejects the plan as Swordhaven's answer to the crisis. Their priority must be to prepare the people for evacuation, holding the defenses only long enough to get them out. Brentan challenges her authority and accuses her of abandoning the city. She answers as Alteon's eldest heir: she has no desire for the throne, but will not let its people suffer through misguided leadership. She has been fighting the invasion before it reached Swordhaven, and believes they must fall back and gather allies.

Brentan still argues that the enemy's own power and armor can protect them. Before the dispute can be settled, the Infernals arrive. The preparations have not given them all the time they need. Victoria orders everyone to defend the castle and hold until help comes. The armor is delivered to the Pactagonal Knights, and Warlic receives the energy and orbs. Whatever their disagreements about the plan, the defenders must now face the attack together.

The New World: Hold Until Help Arrives

The Hero escorts citizens from the courtyard into the castle, then returns to fighting the invading knights and nethermages. The shelter is only as safe as the defenders can make it. A huge worm bristling with teeth erupts from the ground, forcing the Hero away from the main battle to confront it. The creature is defeated, but escapes. Brentan accepts that it is gone for the moment while the army continues pressing inward.

The people inside must be armed as well. The Hero distributes swords and shields to civilians, then helps drive back the imps and hounds wearing the defenders down. Their preparations offer a measure of protection against the enemy's weapons, but the beasts' raw strength remains a danger. The giant worm returns on the other side of the courtyard, drawing the Hero into another fight. Holding Swordhaven has become a succession of emergencies.

As Brentan, Victoria and the Hero defend a villager on a tower, Victoria looks up and sees Gravelyn's flying fortress approaching. Shadowfall and its dracolich bring the help they have been waiting for. Skeleton soldiers land on the tower, and Victoria orders everyone aboard. She and the Hero will hold the attackers back while the others escape. The alliance Brentan hoped not to depend upon has become their route out.

Lord Balax'el descends before the tower. Again, the Hero stands between him and a conquered domain. He claims that each defeat makes him stronger, that his Queen will not let him fall, and that he is her chosen general. The Hero fights him once more while Brentan holds off the hounds and soldiers. Balax'el is defeated again, giving the evacuation its chance to continue. Winning that fight does not restore the city around them.

The New World: The Princess Left Below

Inside Shadowfall, Gravelyn and Victoria embrace while the Hero calls for departure, believing everyone is aboard. The fortress pulls away from burning Swordhaven. Then Victoria notices that Tara is missing. Brentan thought she had been right behind them. The relief of reaching safety collapses as they search for the sister they have left below.

From a balcony, the Hero spots Tara on the ground, surrounded by Infernal soldiers. She calls to Victoria for help. Victoria demands that Gravelyn turn around, and Brentan adds his plea. The soldiers close in on Tara, and the scene cuts to darkness. When Victoria again insists that they return, Gravelyn says they cannot get back in time to save her.

The Hero turns to Warlic. He summoned the Hero and Victoria before; perhaps he can bring Tara to them now. Warlic tries, raising his staff and concentrating on finding her. The attempt takes too long. He cannot find her life energy. Lowering his staff, he says that he thinks she is gone. Tara's death is now what those aboard fear they have failed to prevent, though they have not witnessed the killing itself.

Tara is not the only person left behind. Sir Render, told at the start to wait out the crisis, realizes that the others have forgotten him. His thoughts turn to the one response suggested by his name: surrender. Shadowfall continues away from the burning city, carrying survivors whose escape has not brought victory. Swordhaven's defenders have saved lives, but lost their home, and Victoria leaves believing that she has lost her sister too.